If you own a car, don't get ripped off on this simple repair!
By Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (30127)
May 12, 2024 4:00pm CST
Recently, one of my neighbors (who is not the smartest cookie, but..) had a headlight out. She asked me where to go to get it replaced, and I told her to go to O'Reilly's or to Auto Zone--buy the bulb, and they install it for free. She evidently didn't believe me and went to her dealership to get it fixed. She paid $146.00!!
Friday night, one of my own headlights went out--the dim bulb on the passenger side. Yesterday, I went to O'Reilly's--it's not far from my house. Friendly and fast service, old bulb removed, new one installed. Total spent, $19.01 So my neighbor, who wouldn't go there because she claimed they probably didn't know what they were doing, completely blew $127!! I ran into her at the mail box yesterday, and she was complaining about the cost. I told her I had just gotten back from having one of mine replaced. She didn't believe me that it was that cheap--so I showed her my receipt. She said, you were right. I think it hurt her to say that...but oh, well!
Why are people so hesitant to listen to others who might, just might, save them that kind of money?
21 people like this
19 responses
@Juliaacv (49063)
• Canada
12 May
@MarieCoyle I know that we cannot take it with us, but there are causes that we can provide contributions to if we have such an abundance of money like that. It is awful to be so wasteful.
4 people like this
@MarieCoyle (30127)
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12 May
I honestly think some people do things sometimes to be prestigious. I mean..they go to exclusive stores to get things like socks...I can get name brand socks at Target or Ross or TJMaxx. The very same brand that Macy's or somesuch carries for twice the price. Why just throw money away? Just so you can say, I went to Macy's? Or a similar store, there are still a lot of choices. And these days, a person can use the 'net to check prices for different establishments, easily.
4 people like this
@MarieCoyle (30127)
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12 May
@Juliaacv
There is just no sense to pay that much more for someone to screw in a lightbulb. Mine was fixed in less than 2 minutes! And then, as you say, there is money for other good reasons, contributions, and you aren't wasting it, either.
3 people like this
@kareng (56100)
• United States
14 May
@MarieCoyle She may need a sign...........
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (30127)
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13 May
Well, there is being right, and then again, there is being wasteful and...stupid. It just amazes me how mine was completely fixed in 2 minutes for the price of the bulb, and hers was way over $100 for the same light. We even drive the same type of car!
3 people like this
@kaylachan (59672)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
12 May
Because they are smart and think only the dealship can fix stuff and that auto zone only sell stuff to machanices. Rhey have to learn the hard way.
3 people like this
@kaylachan (59672)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
12 May
@MarieCoyle No, it's not. But, you're going to have those people who think the dealership is the one and only. We take ours there from time to time, but not for simple things.
3 people like this
@MarieCoyle (30127)
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12 May
@kaylachan
Yes, I am the same. It's one thing if it's under a warranty and that is covering the expense, but when you're done with a warranty, you go to your regular mechanic if needed. At least, that's how we do it, unless it's really serious.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (30127)
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12 May
Evidently, you are right. I take care of my vehicles, and simple things like a light bulb is not worth a trip to the dealership.
3 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (97248)
• Marion, Ohio
12 May
They can't believe an average person can know how to do things
3 people like this
@MarieCoyle (30127)
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13 May
Most people who have done business with a car dealership know that everything you have done there that isn't under warranty is going to be way more than if you just sought out another solution. If a person drives the same car for years and years, they either need to know how to fix it, or find a good, reliable mechanic.
2 people like this
@Deepizzaguy (95948)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
12 May
That is a good question since I would anything in my power to save money having my auto repaired.
3 people like this
@MarieCoyle (30127)
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13 May
@Deepizzaguy
Thanks, George. I am not always right and I know that. I am always open about ways to save money, we learn as we go!
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (30127)
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12 May
As long as it’s so simple and done right, my fix works!
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (158131)
• United States
13 May
Because "Dad" or "husband" or someone else "always went to the dealer". Not open to exploring new options.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (30127)
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13 May
I don’t think she believed me until I produced the receipt. I even printed the info from their site saying that they would put the light in for you.
@popciclecold (35948)
• United States
13 May
Wow, she should've listened by all means.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (30127)
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13 May
She is always running short on money. Spends foolishly and then wonders where it went!
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (30127)
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14 May
@popciclecold
I think she likes to say “OhI go to the dealership! “ It sounds classier to her than the auto parts store!
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (171951)
• United States
12 May
Good Lord everybody knows that the dealerships cost more. An honest dealership should have pointed her in the right direction! Unless your car is under warranty or something going there is not a smart move. Friend does because when he bought his car alot of his maintenance was included with it. He doesn't pay anything for it.
3 people like this
@MarieCoyle (30127)
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12 May
Her car is a year past the warranty. Dealership fixes are wildly expensive!
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (30127)
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13 May
Almost anyone can do some basics, or drive to an auto parts store.
Friday, my best friend had her battery die on her Toyota. She called the dealership and the quote for the battery was just over $300 to be installed. So, so ridiculous. She said thank you, and bought one at the auto parts store. Her son was going to come over after work and put it in for her, but she has some good neighbors and one of them came over and had it in the car in a few minutes. Total cost, $159 So basically HALF of what the dealership quoted to her, for the same exact thing.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (461823)
• Switzerland
14 May
@MarieCoyle Those on the back of the car are super easy to change, those on the front are a pain, they are LED light bars, no more bulbs. They were changing those of a car similar to ours when we had our annual checkup and it took more than one hour to replace the LED bar. Considering that here they charge $70 per hour, the guy paid a lot of money.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (30127)
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15 May
@LadyDuck
Some headlights are very complicated, I know. I am glad mine was simple.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (30127)
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14 May
I watched the fellow change the LED and it’s super easy. A lot quicker than I thought it would be compared to my last Jeep. If I try to fix something myself that I’ve never done before, I generally look up a YouTube video on whatever it is, but these are really simple. From the time I went in to the auto parts store and paid, he put it in the car, and I got in to leave, it took 10 minutes. Can’t beat that!
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (74555)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
12 May
Sorry she did not listen to you, Me I have no car so no such problems,
3 people like this
@MarieCoyle (30127)
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12 May
I pretty much have to have a vehicle at this point of my life.
3 people like this
@LindaOHio (160234)
• United States
13 May
They get a preconceived notion in their heads and won't listen to reason. Have a good week.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (160234)
• United States
13 May
@MarieCoyle Thanks. Maybe I will see my husband toward the end of the week.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (30127)
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13 May
Evidently some people don't even have any common sense, Linda! I hope you and your husband have a good week, too.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (30127)
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25 May
I have no problem with replacing them, either. But I couldn't reach in deep enough to get to this one.
1 person likes this
@Orson_Kart (6165)
• United Kingdom
17 May
I used to do all my own car repairs, up to a point. Changing headlight bulbs would be something I’d do myself. Some cars headlamps are easier to change than others. In recent years I’ve always had new cars that I’ve changed every 3 or 4 years. In that time I’ve never had a lamp anywhere on the car fail. Lucky me I guess. A garage replacing these for free is not something that would happen here. Everyone is out to rip you off, garages in particular. I’d say she was definitely ripped off paying $146, and you got a bargain.
It made me laugh though, that your local garage is called O’Reilly’s. Made me think of the Irish builder from Fawlty Towers. Have you watched it? Classic British comedy. 
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1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (30127)
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18 May
I haven't seen Fawlty Towers. I will have to look that up. And I'm even Irish!
Lots of names in the US are the same as names in the UK...that's where many of us came from, but you know that. 
1 person likes this
@Orson_Kart (6165)
• United Kingdom
18 May
@MarieCoyle Did you watch the clip? O’Reilly only has a bit part in the show. It’s mainly about Basil Fawlty (John Cleese), his wife and the staff and guests, at a badly run hotel set in Torquay, England. It’s a bit slapstick, but very funny. I’m sure you’ll love it.
We used to be all Smiths, Jones’, and Murphys. Now we are increasingly Patels.
Me: I recently went to see our new Irish doctor.
You: Oh, really?
Me: No, O’Reilly.
I’m sure you’ll love it.
We used to be all Smiths, Jones’, and Murphys. Now we are increasingly Patels.
Me: I recently went to see our new Irish doctor.
You: Oh, really?
Me: No, O’Reilly. 
@LeaPea2417 (36677)
• Toccoa, Georgia
13 May
Some people think that only the dealership is qualified to work on autos. My Dad thinks that.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (80437)
• United States
16 May
What a ripoff for your neighbor. We all know that dealerships charge more but the difference in price for the replacement bulb was crazy
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (30127)
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17 May
It's that way everywhere around here, and in the southern part of Illinois where I used to live as well. My daughter in Florida says it's the same way there--all of the retirees think they have to go to the dealership, and they pay the big prices rather than go the cheaper route
@zainkhan121 (846)
• Pakistan
13 May
It's a classic case of ignoring advice because it doesn't come from a perceived authority. Your neighbor likely discounted your suggestion because it didn't align with her preconceived notion that only dealerships can handle car repairs properly. But your firsthand experience showed her the reality: competent service at a fraction of the cost. It's a lesson in trusting the wisdom of those around us, even if they don't fit our idea of expertise. And, ultimately, it's a reminder that sometimes the best advice comes from unexpected sources.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (30127)
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14 May
I have learned many practical things in my life by watching others and just listening. Some things are just common sense.
@MarieCoyle (30127)
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18 May
Many times a person can find a much more affordable option, with very little effort. I agree to always use a professional when it's warranted, but not for a light bulb!
